Ancelotti eyes Gonzalo Higuain to lead his next club

Europe's hottest managerial commodity, Carlo Ancelotti, has already begun to plan his return to top-flight football, and the Italian two-time Champions League winner has his sights set on Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain.

Linked with nearly every high-profile vacancy, the former Decima winner at Real Madrid will have his pick of the litter in the summer, signalling out the Argentine international as his first-choice transfer target.

"His goals have carried Napoli to the top of the league," Ancelotti told Gazzetta dello Sport, courtesy of Ben Gladwell from ESPN FC.

Currently experiencing a run of six goals in his last four Serie A appearances for I Ciucciarelli, Higuain has attracted Ancelotti's attention.

"Of all the foreign players, I would have to pick Higuain."

Ancelotti added he's flattered by speculation linking him with several high-profile positions, namely a potential Bayern Munich gig, in light of questions surrounding current manager Pep Guardiola's future with the defending Bundesliga champs.

"To be linked with such a prestigious club (as Bayern) is very stimulating. Everybody's waiting for Guardiola's decision," Ancelotti said.

Speculation concerning a possible vacancy at the Bavarian giants paired with Ancelotti saying he would be interested in a Premier League return following his tenure at Chelsea, gives the manager a slew of options for next season.

"I like England a lot, but in general I just want to get back coaching at a big club. Anything or even nothing could happen - I could even take another year out.

"There are plenty of good coaches around and the only thing certain is that I want to remain out of the game until the end of the season because I don't want to take over at a club during a campaign."